Red pants and red umbrella

Remember Malan Breton from Project Runway season 3? He’s a prime example of perseverance paying off. Malan tried out for season 1 without success. Season 2 he was offered a spot, then turned Bravo down. In season 3 the stars aligned, Malan was offered and accepted a spot as one of the designers on the show. Too bad he was booted off after the second episode. Well, today that’s ancient history as a small but excited crowd filtered into the ‘Salon’ early Wednesday morning in anticipation of Malan Breton’s début at Bryant Park.

Malan backstage

Malan was born in Taiwan but traveled the globe as a child, living in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, and various parts of the United States, he even speaks seven languages!  He has been designing since the age of 16, and was inspired by a friend to create his own line, drawing on the influences and experiences of his life.

Cream cashmere coat, taffeta cream dress

As I entered the tent I noticed the simplistic ambiance Malan created, the room was stark white except for the large M’s aglow in neon blue on both sides of the runway. I spotted actress Martha Plimpton chatting with press in the front row, as well as stylist Nole Marin of America’s Next Top Model, sans lap dog. The DJ spun Euro-dance music as the crowd mingled waiting for the show to begin. Suddenly the music changed to a remix of the song " Birds flying high, you know how I feel "

Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Reeds driftin’ on by you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life"

Blue satin jacket and dress

The lights dimmed softly and we scurried to our seats. Out walks the first model wearing wide leg trousers and a cream colored duchesse satin coat. The entire collection continued, for the most part, with this clean tailored direct translation of ‘ American Girl in Paris’. The color plate consisted mainly of cream satin, wool and cashmere, baby blue taffeta and red silks, about 30 looks in total.

Final silk dress

All wool and cashmere pieces were lined with silk as were the large soft leather handbags. Most models wore short and mid-arm black or red leather gloves, kitten keels or soft knee-high boots. The designs were mature and yet familiar. Malan’s self imposed inspiration came from watching French actress Catherine Deneuve in " The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", way before Rihanna made umbrellas popular. And Malan literally used bright red and baby blue umbrellas as a prop for his models. Styling was modest and reminiscent of a rainy day in Paris; models hair pulled back in a slightly deconstructed low chignon or loose ponytail, purposefully imperfect. Makeup was shear and dewy with berry stain lips. The line concluded with a slim fitting hazy metallic gray lace gown.

Actress Martha Plimpton

Flawlessly constructed dresses and pants were a true highlight of the collection, not bad for a sophomore artist. Bravo to Malan for making the transition from reality TV to reality!

Stylist Nole Marin

Check out Malan's entire line here.